Schools and learning

Photography and Filming of School Events

Nativity Plays and other School Events

We are often asked whether parents can make video recordings of nativity plays and similar school events. When hosting an event where parents are permitted to take photographs or videos, headteachers should make it clear from the start that any images should be for private use only and are not to be put on the internet.

Parents are there at the invitation of the school and it is up to the headteacher to decide whether or not to allow videos or photographs to be taken by parents during the event. For instance, if the headteacher is aware of any children who may be at risk and who are participating in the event, they may wish to restrict photography.

A school may wish to get a professional company to videotape a performance or a production. If so, this should be communicated to parents/carers in a letter explaining this and why the decision has been taken. This letter should be sent before the event is due to take place and parents/carers should be given the opportunity to feed back their concerns. Also, written consent must be obtained from parents/carers for pupils to be filmed/photographed.

Please note that schools must ask parents/carers for consent to create/take images of pupils for the school's own promotional use, e.g. publishing an event, sending photos to the press, putting photos on the web or within school newspapers.

Use of schools for filming

Schools can be approached directly regarding use of their buildings - you can find their contact details in the Schools Address Book (accessible by visiting the link on this page).